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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 UYDE8pG5nczToq6Q8mf/WA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000046207-09-000028.txt : 20091119
<SEC-HEADER>0000046207-09-000028.hdr.sgml : 20091119
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20091119190310
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000046207-09-000028
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	19830701
FILED AS OF DATE:		20091119
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20091119

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC CO INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000046207
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ELECTRIC SERVICES [4911]
		IRS NUMBER:				990040500
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			HI
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		900 RICHARDS ST
		CITY:			HONOLULU
		STATE:			HI
		ZIP:			96813
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8085437771

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		900 RICHARDS STREET
		CITY:			HONOLULU
		STATE:			HI
		ZIP:			96813

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC CO LTD
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19670212

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000354707
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ELECTRIC SERVICES [4911]
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			HI
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-04955
		FILM NUMBER:		091196928

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		900 RICHARDS ST
		CITY:			HONOLULU
		STATE:			HI
		ZIP:			96813
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8085435662

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		900 RICHARDS STREET
		CITY:			HONOLULU
		STATE:			HI
		ZIP:			96813
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>1983-07-01</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000046207</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC CO INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NONE***</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000354707</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES INC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>P.O. BOX 730</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HONOLULU</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>HI</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>96808-0730</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Cumulative Preferred Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>100000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <remarks>***The issuer's securities are not listed on a national securities exchange.  Various classes of the issuer's preferred stock trade in the over-the-counter (OTC) market.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Chester A. Richardson, Senior VP</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-11-19</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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